[cariaso]

3.5 million pigs are slaughtered for food each day.

2 pig subjects "were sedated with an intramuscular injection of tiletamine and zolazepam (4–8 mg/kg of each, in equal amount), atropine (0.04 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg). They were then administered inhaled isoflurane, except during neurophysiological recording as noted below, and oxygen (2 L/min). These gases were applied first via snout mask and immediately afterwards via endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilatory support. General anesthesia was maintained throughout the rest of the life of the animals, including euthanasia."

That protocol was approved by some suitable committee, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act and similar protocols. I think most people informed of the details and the purpose of the research would agree the benefits easily justify the cost of their sacrifice.

[j-pb]

I don't think that the absolute horrors that are the modern meat industry, somehow lessen the tragedy of animal testing.

[thereisnospork]

What you describe as 'absolute horrors' are what most people call making breakfast.

The 'tragedy of animal testing' isn't -- at least as relates to food stock animals.

[niemandhier]

The test subjects were treated to avoid as much suffering as possible, in fact they suffered less than animals for food production. So even on a individual by individual comparison level ( neglecting the scale of slaughter for food) this research is less bad than eating meat.